Featured Athlete - Brian W

1. How long have you been doing CrossFit? If not with CFWP, how/where did you start?

I’ve been doing CrossFit for a year now. Started in the legendary garage. Much love to the 572!

2. What got you involved with CrossFit?

I’ve said this before, but I was the awkward looking tall/skinny kid in high school (6’0 130lb freshman), so I’ve always been in the weight room trying to keep weight on. The thing is that I never really had a solid regimen. I was in the weight room everyday but always just did upper body one day, and lower the next. What got me interested in CrossFit was that the workouts are planned out, and it hits a little bit of everything. My older brother who is a Marine told me I needed to find a CF gym when I moved out here to Denver and I’m glad I followed his advice.

3. What were your main concerns when you first started?

Some of the oly movements seemed like they were almost impossible to do. Watching Ethan go through the motions, I felt like I was at my first Salsa lesson learning to dance…AAAAnnd 1,2,3,- 5,6,7,-. (Any guy that has gone to a Salsa dancing lesson for a girl will know what I’m talking about) Like Salsa, I never thought I was going to be able to do any of it.

4. Why have you continued to do CrossFit?

I keep doing CrossFit because of the people, the results, and the good times I have at the gym…but to be honest…it’s just addicting! If I didn’t play so much soccer, I would definitely be a gym rat there.

5. What do you think about the CFWP community?

I can’t say enough about the CFWP community. Everyone is helpful to each other, no one takes themselves too seriously, and there are so many personalities. I’ve made a lot of friends within the community, and I look forward to meeting and talking to new members.

6. Have CrossFit and CFWP met the expectations you had before you started?

Exceeded.

7. What is your favorite part about CrossFit/CFWP?

My favorite part was the garage. That was pure Rocky IV training…amazing! Ha, but really, I’d have to say that my favorite part of CFWP is Ethan. I have never seen him not give every single person in the WOD a high five at the end when we are all in the fetal position, panting for dear life. He is always excited to do WODs, and he really knows his stuff. His enthusiasm and fun approach to working out will keep me a member at the CFWP for as long as I’m in Denver. (Ed. note Thanks Brian! I really appreciate the kind words!)

8. How has CrossFit impacted your life?

As much as I want to say it’s impacted me the most physically, and believe me it has (I hate you, Angie!!), it’s impacted more mentally. Before I did CF, when tasks seemed too hard, I would shy away. But after WODs like the Hammer, and Grace, I’ve learned that not finishing anything in life is just mental. If I can finish those workouts when my body has nothing left…the sky is the limit.

9. Favorite movement?

I know John would probably say deadlift is my favorite, but I would have to say squat cleans

10. Least favorite movement?

Thrusters.

11. What advice would you give to anyone interested in starting crossfit or just beginning?

Don’t think about going…just go. You’ll have fun and it will be worth it. Even if you have a bad workout…it’s still better than no workout!

12. What are some personal goals you are looking to achieve in the coming months?

Seeing that my personal goal of beating Kim in a WOD was completed, (muahaha!), I want to work on muscle ups. I got my first couple a few months back, but I haven’t been able to practice them as much due to my schedule and I lost the movement. I want to be able to string them together by the beginning of August.

13. Do you have a special moment/memory from your time CrossFitting you’d like to share? (something you’re proud of accomplishing, were inspired by, etc).

The barefoot WOD. I had gotten some pretty gnarly blisters from my soccer cleats a couple days before and I was torn between resting or going to the gym. It wasn’t as serious as a pulled muscle…but hurt just as much. So I went, thinking if I bandage it up it won’t get irritated. Wrong! Hurt worse than watching me try and Salsa dance…that’s right, I spoke from experience earlier. And to make it even better, that day in the WOD we had 800m runs...3 of em! So instead of taking the day off and going home, I took my shoes and socks off and did the WOD. And for the 800s…I sucked it up, and just ran it barefoot. That was a great day for me that I’ll always remember at CFWP. (Ed. note: That was SO awesome. Though the potential "Kenyan" nickname never stuck...)

14. Finally, if you could design a WOD for Ethan to do, what would it be?

Death by handstand pushups!! (Ed. note: Ouch! At least it'll be over fast!)